Star England fast bowler Jofra Archer will miss the upcoming three-match Twenty20 International series against South Africa starting February 12, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed. Lancashire based pacer Saqib Mahmood will replace Archer, who is out with an elbow injury.
Saqib Mahmood to replace Archer
The elbow injury forced Jofra Archer to miss the second and the third Test against the Proteas. He was on the verge of regaining fitness leading to the fourth tie but aggravated the injury in the warm-ups leading to another ouster. Archer played only one Test, picking up five wickets in opening Test that England lost by 107 runs in Centurion. Incidentally, England won all the rest three matches to win the series 3-1 coming from behind.
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The Barbados-born fast bowler has now returned to the United Kingdom with a focus on getting fit after sustaining soreness to his right elbow. Saqib Mahmood who was initially only a part of the ODI squad will now extend his stay as he replaces Jofra Archer in the shorter formats. Notably, Archer was not a part of the ODI side.
The three-match ODI series will commence on February 4 in Cape Town, following two 50-overs practice games for England.
